Information for Parents and Carers – September 2026 cohort
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all prospective parents / carers and their children. For the remainder of the school year we will be working with all of our feeder primary schools and your children to prepare them for life at Kepier.
We would like to take the opportunity to meet you and will be attending events at primaries throughout the year. Staff at Kepier believe that everyday should be an Open Day. If you would like to see our school in action, please book an appointment by contacting our main reception.
Key Dates
Virtual Parents’ Evening
Our Virtual Parents’ Information Evening took place on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 5pm. A link has been shared with Parents and Carers via email following National Offer day.
Kepier’s Transition Programme
Following National Offer Day, Kepier works extensively with you, your child and their current school to ensure that they are prepared for joining Kepier in September 2026. The activities and events listed below are some of the ways we support.
Primary Visits
Throughout March and April, we will be visiting all primary schools to introduce key staff and present important information to your child. This will be led by Mr Haley, Year 7 Manager. This is a perfect time for your child to understand frequently asked information about the transition to secondary school, and for our staff to meet your child. This is usually a one hour session on an afternoon within their primary school.
Shine Sessions
Within our feeder schools, we have begun our SHINE programme sessions which are newly introduced to our 2026 cohort. Delivered by our dedicated transition worker, Miss Talbot, sessions are focused around oracy, drama and confidence building, all of which will help with the transition to Kepier in September. When your child starts with us in September, Miss Talbot will be on hand to support your child, along with the rest of our staff to ensure a smooth transition within the first term.
Summer School
We will be running a summer school week commencing 17th August 2026, further details will follow prior to May Half Term.
Transition week events week commencing 30th June 2026
We are inviting all learners who are starting Kepier in September 2026 to join us for three days in June and July. During two days, learners will experience a range of activities which will support them in year 7 with half of our year group. We will then have the full year 7 cohort join us on Monday 6th July, to experience what a full year group, and school feels like, ready for September.
- Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th June: Bernard Gilpin, Dubmire,GIllas Lane, Shiny Row
- Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July: Burnside, East Rainton, Eppleton, Newbottle, Non feeder schools
- Monday 6th July: Full Cohort
For their transition days learners will need to make their own way to and from Kepier arriving for 8.30am and leaving at 2.50pm.
Your child will be attending these days with their peers from their current school and this will be communicated with you by May Half Term.
Parent and Learner Visits July 2026
For those parents who have expressed an interest in visiting Kepier during the school day for a guided tour, the allocated appointment times will be confirmed to you by email .
There will be samples of uniform from Emblematic, Kepier’s uniform supplier, available onsite during these visits enabling pre-ordering.
Parents’ Evenings July 2026
Kepier will be hosting two parents’ evenings starting at 5.00pm on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th July. Access to the building will be from 4.30pm. During the open evenings, there will be the opportunity to pre-order school uniform from our suppliers, Emblematic who will be on site. Please look out for a google form where you will be able to sign up for your preferred date.
Key contact information
If you would like to speak to a member of staff, about a specific query, the contact details of key staff are listed below:
- Mr Haley (Year Manager): haleym@kepier.com
- Mrs King (SEND): kingk@kepier.com
- Mrs Maitland (Behaviour) maitlanda@kepier.com
- Mrs Preece (Safeguarding): preecem@kepier.com
- Mrs Wilkin (Attendance) wilkinc@kepier.com
Alternatively, you can call our main reception on 0191 5128960. The office opening times are: Monday – Friday: 8am -4pm